RADIO
Welcome back to the WNBA! After the first Monday off of the year, the league is back in action on Tuesday with two games on the docket, with the Aces facing the Mystics and then the Lynx taking on the Fever.
Just as I have for the last couple of years, I'll be providing daily fantasy lineup picks for the WNBA this season here at RotoBaller. But because I also moved to a state with legalized sports betting earlier this year, I'll be sprinkling in some basic betting picks. Not going to get complicated since there's limited space in this piece, but I'll throw you a bet or two each day that I like.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/10/22. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. The slate locks on 5/10/2022 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on Twitter and always down to discuss women's basketball: @juscarts.
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WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Guard
Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces) - @ WAS - DK: $9,600, FD: $7,200
Last year's Sixth Woman of the Year, the Aces are now putting Plum in the starting five and playing her heavy minutes, and it's paying off. She's averaging 15 field goal attempts per game and has already attempted 14 threes. She's averaging 19.0 points, 7.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game on 40% shooting.
Natasha Cloud (Washington Mystics) - vs LV - DK: $9,500 FD: $7,300
Cloud has been the best backcourt player on the Mystics so far, averaging 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. After a great showing this offseason while playing in Athletes Unlimited, Cloud looks to be playing her best WNBA ball right now and even went 4-for-7 from deep last game. If she can consistently add the three to her game, then watch out.
UPDATE: Cloud won't play tonight, as she appears to be sick. With her out, there are some intriguing options on this Mystics team, with Ariel Atkins being the obvious play but Shatori Walker-Kimbrough or Rui Machado making sense as value options.
Destanni Henderson (Indiana Fever) - vs MIN - DK: $5,600, FD: $4,900
It didn't take long for the Fever to realize they should play their rookie guard more. In her second game, Henderson played 30 minutes, going 6-for-13 from the floor for 19 points and also adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals. She was 3-for-4 from deep. The Lynx have essentially nothing at point guard right now, on either side of the floor, so I'm not sure what they can do to slow Henny down.
WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Forward
A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) - @ WAS - DK: $10,900, FD: $8,700
The Aces have put Wilson at the five under new head coach Becky Hammon and that increased spacing the team is providing her is working. It's only been two games, but Wilson is averaging 17.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per while shooting 59.1%. She's even taken a couple of threes! Wilson's already-high ceiling before this year is higher now because she's not going to see someone like Liz Cambage take away her rebounding opportunities.
Jessica Shepard (Minnesota Lynx) - @ IND - DK: $7,900, FD: $6,400
Shepard has surprisingly been Minnesota's best player and with no Damiris Dantas yet this year and no Natalie Achonwa on Tuesday, I see no reason to think Shepard won't continue to play 30-plus minutes and produce in those opportunities. She's averaging 12.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game so far on 45.5% shooting.
Shakira Austin (Washington Mystics) - vs LV - DK: $5,700, FD: $5,000
After playing 12 minutes in the opener, Austin saw 35 minutes of action in the second game. While a big part of that was Elena Delle Donne and Tianna Hawkins being out, I think Austin is already solidifying herself as the third big in DC. She had 13 points and 10 boards against Minnesota and while I'm not sure she'll get the minutes to get another double-double, I think there's good value here, even if her production is a bit risky based on the availability of other players.
WNBA Betting Picks for 5/5/2022
Looking to make some WNBA bets? Let's look at some options for you.
Yesterday's results (1-1)
Lynx vs. Fever U 157
The Fever average 73.5 points per game. The Lynx average 70.0 points per game. That's 143.5 combined points per game between these two teams. The O/U is current at 157. Even factoring in the poor defense from both sides, I think these offenses will struggle to get going.
Minnesota Lynx Spread (-3.5)
Both teams have been bad. But the Fever are a different kind of bad from the rest of the league and anytime the spread is this close, I'm taking their opponent, even if their opponent has been the second-worst team in the league all year.
Las Vegas Aces ML
The Mystics look good this season. But the Aces look to be the league's best team right now, with a sizable gap behind them. They just beat the Storm by double figures despite having turnover issues and this offense is capable of scoring a ton of points on anyone. I'm a little hesitant to fully back the spread here, which DK has at -5 at the time I'm publishing this. But I'm completely confident in the Aces winning, even if the reward isn't great, as the ML current sits at -220. Still, something reliable you can add to a parlay.
